“Twenty years ago, our most powerful engine had 470 horsepower.”
Engine designers working for truck manufacturers have been warned to begin rolling up their sleeves, to prepare for the new Euro 6 emission standards for newly manufactured trucks, which come into force in Europe on December 31, 2013. Particle emissions must be halved, and nitrogen oxide emissions must be reduced by 77 percent.
Mats Franzén, Manager of Engine Strategy and Planning at Volvo Trucks in Sweden, is satisfied with the way Volvo’s engine designers are tackling adaptation to the new standards’ tough limit values.
“We take a positive view of the tough requirements. They pose a challenge for us, like for everyone else. They offer our engine designers a chance to show their mettle, which gives us a clear competitive edge. We will meet the standards long before the new legislation takes effect,” he comments.
So how must the engines be improved to meet the new limit values? For marketing reasons, Franzén does not want to specify exactly which technical improvements will be made. There is plenty to play around with: improved software, improved friction conditions, more efficient selective catalytic reduction and adaptation of operating temperatures. It is very probable that Euro 6 will require a combination of SCR, EGR and a particulate filter.
Independent researchers have raised criticisms, arguing that the Euro 6 standards will mean increased fuel consumption, given today’s engine technology.
“Clearly, the challenge of Euro 6 will lie in further reducing nitrogen oxide emissions without increasing fuel consumption and thereby increasing CO2 emissions. Our engine designers have made enormous progress in recent decades, and we’ll continue developing our engines for optimised fuel consumption regardless of changes in regulations and standards,” Franzén says.
Fuel consumption has dropped dramatically in recent decades. For example, Volvo’s popular FH truck has cut its diesel consumption by almost 40 percent in the last 30 years. With the D13 engine, launched in 2005, Volvo took the definitive step to the forefront of the industry in terms of fuel economy.
“Yes, we're certainly leaders in fuel economy. And we’ll continue to reduce fuel consumption by about one percent a year. That means big savings, both in economic and environmental terms,” Franzén comments.
But the biggest improvement of all is in air emission levels. A truck 30 years ago produced the same level of particulate emissions as 50 trucks today. When Euro 6 is introduced, the level of particulate emissions will be further reduced by 50 percent.
“Besides becoming cleaner and more efficient, our trucks are now also stronger. Twenty years ago, our most powerful engine had 470 horsepower. Today we can offer our customers the Volvo FH 16 with a 700 horsepower engine,” Franzén says.
So engine designers can meet the emission targets. However, the improvements come at a price. Today, engines are roughly twice as expensive to manufacture as in the early 1990s.
“Naturally, it’s very costly to develop engines that are better in all respects in terms of environment, fuel consumption, lifespan and driveability. However, because we’re the world’s largest diesel engine manufacturer and produce large volumes, we are able to stay at the cutting edge,” Franzén explains.
Are the Euro 6 standards strict enough, or do we need even higher standards?
“Under Euro 6, emissions of particles, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide will be brought to environmentally sustainable levels, Franzén says. “But that’s not enough for us. Now we’re focusing on reducing fuel consumption still further, thereby cutting climate-altering CO2 emissions.